Southern Cross is a step closer to collapse after ending talks with potential
buyers.

The heavily indebted care home operator said none of the preliminary
approaches received in recent months were likely to lead to a proper offer.

Southern Cross, which has been struggling with a business model brought in
under the previous owner, the private equity firm Blackstone, now has until
the end of June to try to stay afloat. If it goes into administration, there
is a risk that some of its 31,000 elderly residents will have to be
rehoused.